Lu Li chuckled softly. "You two are not a good match."
From the moment she raised her hand against Yu Nian, he had understood—she wasn't as simple as she appeared on the surface.
"Whether we're a match or not, you have to give it a try to find out, right?" Lin Chengyu raised an eyebrow, drawing out the last syllable playfully.
"Get lost."
Lu Li gave him a light kick. The things that went through this guy's head were nothing but junk.
"Hey, Bro Lu, you're so worked up... don't tell me you've got a thing for her?" Lin Chengyu returned the earlier remark with an impish grin.
Lu Li tossed his cigarette to the ground, crushed it underfoot, and cracked his neck twice. "I think you need a beating."
He took two steps forward, grabbed Lin Chengyu by the collar, and raised his fist as if ready to swing.
"No, no, no! Bro Lu, my bad!"
Though he knew Lu Li wouldn't really hit him, Lin Chengyu instinctively shrank his neck, tilting his head away and squinting, not daring to look at the raised fist.
"Such a coward!"
Lu Li chuckled in exasperation, let go of him, then straightened his school uniform.
"Bro Lu." Lin Chengyu, unafraid of death, sidled up to him again. "You're not seriously into her, are you?"
Normally, when joked with, Lu Li wouldn't react so strongly. He was acting unusually today.
Just as Lu Li was about to respond, a sweet, soft voice came from behind.
"Lu Li?"
Yu Xinman hurried over to stand in front of him, her eyes slightly curved in a smile. "What are you guys doing here?"
The tip of her nose was still a little red, but it only highlighted her delicate charm, making her look all the more shy and adorable.
Lu Li responded coolly, shoving his hands back into his pockets. "Just passing by."
"Class is about to start. Let's head back together." Yu Xinman glanced at him, slightly bashful as she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
At Shengde, Lu Li was not only known as the school's most attractive guy but also belonged to the prestigious Lu Family. Many girls admired him, and Yu Xinman was one of them.
She had always felt deep down that only a standout guy like Lu Li was worthy to stand by her side, shoulder to shoulder.
But since Shengde's rules strictly prohibited student romances, she had kept her affections buried, never daring to reveal them to him.
"Okay."
Lu Li shot Lin Chengyu a glance before turning and heading toward the teaching building.
"Lu Li, do you have time next week?" Yu Xinman tilted her head, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on him.
"Why?"
"It's my birthday next Saturday. I'd like to invite you… and Lin Chengyu to my home for a gathering." She hesitated slightly before adding Lin Chengyu's name.
Lu Li raised an eyebrow and quickened his pace just slightly. "I'll let you know."
"Alright, I'll follow up with you to confirm."
Yu Xinman smiled, an unmistakable determination flashing in her eyes.
The classroom for Class 1 and Class 7 were on different floors, so the group exchanged brief goodbyes near the staircase.
After Yu Xinman's figure disappeared, Lu Li visibly exhaled a sigh of relief, his whole demeanor relaxing considerably.
He turned around and glared at Lin Chengyu. "Why didn't you say anything just now?"
"A beauty was right there; how could I dare to interrupt you two?" Lin Chengyu teased.
Lu Li scoffed lightly. "I'm not interested in her." He wasn't into girls who seemed all weak and delicate.
"Oh? What about the new girl?"
Lin Chengyu hopped up two steps to stand beside him, casually slinging an arm over his shoulder.
"Will you quit already?" Lu Li brushed his hand off, irritated.
Before Lin Chengyu could cling to him again, Lu Li had already left him behind and entered the classroom.
As Lin Chengyu's earlier words echoed in his mind, Lu Li instinctively glanced toward the last row of seats.
The girl was propped up on one hand, leaning against the white wall with her eyes closed, taking a nap. She looked so docile, making him feel an inexplicable urge to pinch her cheeks.
The moment he realized where his thoughts were going, Lu Li quickly averted his gaze.
Sitting upright, he felt his ears heat up, his heart suddenly racing a little faster.
It wasn't until the class bell rang that he managed to pull his wandering thoughts back to reality.
His eyes drifted to the teacher on the podium. When he saw it was Professor Ma, a sinking feeling arose in his chest.
Professor Ma taught math and was notoriously strict, with high expectations. He had zero tolerance for students dozing off or zoning out in class.
If caught, you'd better prepare to suffer his wrath—and it wouldn't end without a lesson being drilled into you.
Thinking of the napping girl in the back row, Lu Li couldn't help but furrow his brows.
He ripped a scrap piece of paper from his notebook and crumpled it into a ball, ready to toss it at her—
"The student in the last row, come up and answer this problem!" Professor Ma's sharp voice, accompanied by a firm knock on the podium with his lecture stick, cut through the room.
Yu Zhi, startled by the sudden noise, opened her eyes in confusion. She glanced around, clueless, only to see every gaze in the room locked on her. She froze for a moment.
Professor Ma, unsmiling, pointed again. "Yes, you! Come solve the problem!"
Still dazed, Yu Zhi nodded lightly, her thick lashes trembling. Her watery almond eyes shimmered like a little deer caught in the woods.
Unhurriedly, she walked to the blackboard. But as she stared at the dense mass of numbers and symbols, she frowned, looking deadly serious. "Teacher, I don't know."
"Don't know? Don't know what you should've been doing earlier?" Professor Ma's eyes narrowed with displeasure. "You're here to learn, not sleep!"
Clearly aggravated, he didn't let her speak another word before continuing, "Stand outside the classroom for now. Come to my office after the lesson!"
"Okay."
Yu Zhi replied softly, stepping around the podium and exiting the classroom, taking up a spot obediently in the hallway.
After standing there for a bit, boredom began to set in. Her eyelids drooped as drowsiness crept back in.
The cool October breeze rushed past occasionally, carrying a faint chill that brushed against her bare legs.
Her skirt fluttered in the wind. Feeling uncomfortable, Yu Zhi took two steps back, leaning against the railing and gripping her skirt uneasily.
Not long after, the sound of Professor Ma's exasperated scolding echoed through the classroom. Another unfortunate classmate had been sent out in a matter of minutes.
Lu Li now stood next to Yu Zhi, hands in his pockets, mirroring her by leaning on the railing.
He dropped his gaze slightly, stealing glances at her every now and then, wanting to strike up a conversation but unsure of what to say.
"Do you need something?" Yu Zhi turned her head toward him, puzzled.
His gaze was too obvious, making it impossible for her to ignore.
Lu Li shook his head. After a long pause, he finally managed to ask, "Didn't sleep well last night?"
"Yeah, I'm just a bit tired." At the mention of it, she couldn't help but yawn.
Watching her clear, sleepy eyes mist over slightly with moisture, Lu Li pressed his lips together. "Want a soda? I always have one when I get sleepy—it helps."
"Soda?"
Yu Zhi looked him up and down, her gaze falling on his pockets as she quirked an eyebrow.
"I don't have any on me."